Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Rabbinical Assembly Statement

New York – The Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform) and the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative), representing 3,000 rabbis, wish to recognize and acknowledge the growing bonds between the Jewish and Catholic communities.

We praise Pope John Paul II's courageous strides in working to heal the historic breach that has separated our communities. The Pope has affirmed the irrevocable nature of God's covenant with the Jewish people. He has condemned anti-Semitism as a "sin against God." He has forged diplomatic relations with Israel, recognizing the Jewish State's right to exist within secure borders.

He has called upon Christendom to engage in teshuva for the atrocities of the Holocaust. He has apologized for the excesses of the Crusades and the Inquisition. He has opposed Christian missionizing toward the Jews, instead urging the intensification of Jewish piety. In this context, we welcome and applaud Pope John Paul II's historic liturgy of forgiveness, presented to the global community of Catholics this past Sunday.

Borrowing from the Pope's terminology, we call upon our rabbinic constituents to engage in intensified dialogue and fellowship with our Roman Catholic neighbors. At this historic moment of the first papal pilgrimage to the sovereign Jewish State, may the inspiring leadership of Pope John Paul II lead us toward greater reconciliation, friendship and partnership in effecting tikkun olam.

Rabbi Charles Kroloff President Central Conference of American Rabbis

Rabbi Paul Menitoff Executive Vice President Central Conference of American Rabbis Rabbi Seymour Essrog President The Rabbinical Assembly

Rabbi Joel Myers Executive Vice President The Rabbinical Assembly

International Council of Christians and Jews